About the Program
The Bachelor of Integrative Studies (BIS) degree is a university-wide degree program that enables students to custom design their own plan of study integrating coursework from multiple disciplines to prepare for academic and professional goals in a world that increasingly bridges academic disciplines.
The program weaves flexibility and decision making into an opportunity for students to achieve unique personal and career goals. Students in the program have clearly identified educational goals and academic needs that can be achieved better through the BIS degree than through a traditional major. The goals of the program are as follows:
- Offer students with cross-departmental interests the opportunity to develop their own curricular programs.
- Offer students a baccalaureate program that integrates past course work with present career and personal goals.
- Prepare students for post-baccalaureate education in cross-departmental fields.
- Encourage students to take responsibility for educational and career planning.
- Assist students in educational and personal development.
Purpose:
The original purpose of the program as outlined in the 1975 enabling legislation was "to enable the university to better respond to the needs (especially, but not exclusively) of its adult, 'nontraditional,' largely evening population." More than 25 years later, the purpose remains essentially the same. The intent is to provide students with decision-making opportunities to design an educational program that is flexible and different from existing majors. The 350+ Integrative Studies students enrolled in each major semester attest to the continuing relevance of the program in addressing the needs of the target population. This program is also relatively consistent with those offered by about 100 other institutions across the country, including several within our state and region.